Crossing the line: Corruption at the border

Michael Atondo

Age: 34

Case date: 4-4-2011

Crime: Suspected of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and importation of marijuana

Michael Atondo was arrested in April 2011 on suspicion of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and importation of marijuana. He later was indicted on related drug charges. Atondo is accused of being caught with more than 700 pounds of marijuana in his Border Patrol vehicle, which fellow agents said was backed up to the U.S.-Mexico border with the back gate open. A jury trial began in early October 2011. UPDATE Oct. 17, 2011: A jury in U.S. District Court in Arizona last week found Atondo guilty on charges of conspiracy to commit importation of marijuana, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana and possession with intent to distribute marijuana. The jury was hung on a fourth count of importation of marijuana. Atondo was sentenced in March 2012 to 96 months in prison.

The photographs of and information about U.S. Customs and Border Protection employees convicted or suspected of corruption-related charges were obtained by the Center for Investigative Reporting through multiple Freedom of Information Act requests and other sources. The data come primarily from Customs and Border Protection records and an internal agency website called "Trust Betrayed." The purpose of the government site is to illustrate to agency employees what happens to agents and officers caught abusing their positions. The Trust Betrayed website information is for 2005 through September 2011, with supplemental records dating to October 2004. CIR will continue to update this feature as new photographs and information become available.